About a few month ago I have toyed on the idea of selling contact lenses online. So I tried creating a blogger account with the purpose of doing just that. But then, after completing the blog, I did not pursue the matter further as I am uncertain it would work.The few question that I had in mind was:
1) Would there be people that is willing to pay money upfront to buy contact lenses which cost more then clothes that you normally see selling online for like RM20-RM40.
2) Would people be comfortable buying contact lens online instead of going to optical shops and buying them direct.
3) Ethical issues (for me) as you must trust that the person buying from you already know how to wear them and has knowledge on contact lenses before hand.
Anyways, I am now reconsidering giving it a try once again.
So, I would really appreciate if I can get some feedback from you dear people on this.
The website is at http://mycontactlenses.blogspot.com/
Have a look at it and do give me feedback (example: is the price reasonable?) . Its not operational yet so do not email me for orders.
Thanks
7 comments:
I c... looks like your main purpose in blogging is to market your contact lenses product. Honestly, you can have a great business if you know the way (which I don't even know how). Lol...
Anyway, don't stop believing, never stop trying.. who know you will success in the future?
Good luck!
My purpose of this topic is about my contact lenses thats true but not my purpose of blogging :)
But yeah, i am always trying to see possibilities beyond what I already have. Its the only way for one to move forward.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Hmm coming from an e-commerce perspective. Even if you sell it online, what makes it any different from any of the other online stores out there that may sell the lenses.
So you get like a cheaper rate? Do you get a better product compared to those on shelves?
Also what about your shipping and stuff like that? How will that work. buying the lenses is open to what region of malaysia.
It is a good idea and I know where you are getting at, but also this is a product that would usually go well with those eye stores.
In my opinion.. i know this is very long winded.... for an online business picking a product is key here in our country that is still not very open to buying stuff online.. but learning.
For me I'd honestly if i were still using contacts, would buy it from an eye store, cause they can't check my power and all.
This is my opinion though Chee HOe :P
Aronil,
Firstly thanks for the feedback. Really appreciate it.
Products on offer are exactly the same quality as the one offered from retail outlets since its virtually the same product on sale and sourced from the same suppliers. Of course the rate would be cheaper or at least similar to the price that is sold at retail outlets (how cheap would depend on the area that you stay in - CL prices vary from east coast to west coast). Undoubtedly price will be a factor in how successful this project would work out.
Shipping wise, I think it would be the same for any e-commerce business in which the seller would absorb the cost of shipping if the buyer buys above a certain cut off limit (for paninsular malaysia only). The idea here would be door to door delivery with accountability.
This is actually not a new idea. Its doing very well in Europe when I left UK 5 years back.
This is completely targetted towards long term contact lens wearers that knows their prescription and want repeat orders for what they already have. If they need any eye tested then they could go to a retail outlet to do so and then when they need to top up their CL, there is a choice to pay less and do it online.
My vision for this would be "Hastle free, affordable contact lens that delivers straight to your doorstep with a click of a button".
Again, really appreciate your feedback ya.
Hmmmmmmm I don't have a problem with it at all. However, I just tried to sell my unwanted (unused obviously) spare lenses on ebay and they threatened to ban me, as it is illegal to sell prescription items online.
Now get this.....they HAVE a contact lens category! Two emails from them saying they don't, but I guess they actually LOOKED at he link I sent them and admitted it.
So I guess I'd say just be aware of the trading laws. THere has been quite a bit of reading material on the net about it over the past year (only just found THAT out lol)
Good luck with your venture
Well, good luck with your business. There are many contact oultets online, and they have good prices but unfortunatelly i don't think than many people know about them.
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